Is there a way back for Argentina?
Argentina and Messi will hope results go their way (Photo: AFP)
They were completely outplayed by Croatia on Thursday night, and had absolutely no answer. Their star man Lionel Mess was far from influential, and for long periods looked out of sorts. After Willy Caballero’s howler gifted Vatreni the lead, La Albiceleste fell like nine pins.
After Luka Modric scored a wonderful goal from distance to make it two, the Argentine players knew there was no way back. Their fate had been sealed. They looked like fallen men, who had no motivation or confidence to carry on. It was a sad sight. What made it even more heartbreaking was to see Messi looking distraught and someone whose dream had been crushed. Adding salt to the injury was his Barcelona teammate Ivan Rakitic, who added a third for Croatia in the injury time. After full time, Argentina’s whole squad looked glum and hopeless.
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But it isn’t the end, not yet at least. For Argentina to go through, however, they will want the remaining results to go their way.
Here’s how they can still qualify:
Scenario 1:
To qualify, Argentina must win against Nigeria and hope that Iceland loses their remaining games against Nigeria and Croatia.
Scenario 2:
If Iceland loses or draws against Nigeria
Croatia then defeats or draws Iceland
Argentina beats Nigeria
Scenario 3:
If Iceland manages to win one of their remaining matches, Messi and Co. must defeat Nigeria with a considerable margin that would ensure they go through on goal difference.
It looks like curtains for Argentina, but you never know. They say, everything is possible in football. Don’t count them out just yet.
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